Lionel Messi scored four goals as Inter Miami returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, crushing CF Montréal 7-1 in Major League Soccer on Sunday.
The victory at Nu Stadium ended Miami’s five-match winless run. The defending champions had lost four of their previous five matches but produced a dominant display against Montréal from the opening whistle.
Brazilian star Casemiro opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header, marking his first goal for Inter Miami.
Montréal levelled the match in the 37th minute when German midfielder Fabian Herbers fired a low shot from outside the box into the net.
Miami regained the lead just three minutes later. In the 40th minute, Messi’s low, curling free-kick deceived the Montréal goalkeeper and went directly into the net, sending the hosts into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
Miami stepped up the pressure after the break, and Messi doubled his tally in the 52nd minute. The Argentine weaved through several defenders before sending a low shot into the bottom corner.
Messi then played a key role in Miami’s fourth goal, delivering a brilliant lofted pass to former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan striker made no mistake, extending Miami’s lead to 4-1.
Messi completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute. After receiving a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, the 39-year-old calmly chipped the advancing goalkeeper to put Miami further ahead.
Young substitute Alex Shaw added Miami’s sixth goal in the 89th minute with a low strike from outside the box that the Montréal goalkeeper could not stop.
Messi saved his best for last. Deep into stoppage time, he curled a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area into the net to complete a remarkable four-goal haul and seal the 7-1 victory.
The win lifted Inter Miami to second place in the Eastern Conference with 41 points from 22 matches. They remain seven points behind league leaders Nashville.
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